Men’s Basketball’s Late Push Falls Short at Lasell

NEWTON, Mass. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology men's basketball team rallied late but ultimately fell to the Lasell Lasers on Saturday night. Russel Dolabany's career-high 23 points led the Leopards while Dylan Olson tallied a career-best 17 points off the bench. Colin Mannke's six boards led the team and Davis Lunn dished out a team-high seven assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Lasell built a 5-0 lead before Russel Dolabany knocked down a triple to get the Leopards on the board. Aiden Flaherty's tip-in at the rim kept Wentworth within four before a Cameron Nell layup pushed the lead back six. Olson scored back-to-back buckets for the Leopards to keep the deficit at five. Mike Yentin hit a big three before Andy Weeman's finish gave Wentworth the 17-16 lead with just over eleven minutes to play in the half.
• The sides went back and forth over the next few minutes, exchanging buckets and the lead. Weeman's free throws put Wentworth in front by six with six and a half to play in the first half. Daniel Edmonds knocked down a triple and Esmer Madesko's finish at the rim brought the hosts back within one with under five to go. Lasell took the lead late in the half before Jayden Williams knocked down a triple to tie the game at 41. Nell's layup sent Lasell into the break with a 43-41 lead.
• Madesko sank two buckets in the opening minutes of the second half to keep the Lasers in front by six. Weeman's layup was answered once again by Madesko, keeping it a two-possession game. Wentworth continued to fight but Lasell was riding Madesko's hot hand as he hit another three to give Lasell a 12-point lead. Another three and a pair of free throws from Madesko stretched the advantage to 16 points as the game approached the midway point of the second half.
• Lasell held a double digit lead until Olson's three with four and a half minutes to play, making it an 84-76 game. Madesko stayed hot with another triple to restore the double figure advantage, but Olson caught fire late in the game for the Leopards as the senior hit another three with just over two minutes to go to cut the lead to seven. The Lasers hit their free throws down the stretch as Wentworth made a late push, keeping it a two-possession game. Sean Racette's free throws in the final 20 seconds got Wentworth within eight, but the Lasers came away with the 98-90 victory.

THE SERIES:

• Tonight was the 3rd all-time meeting between the two teams.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth will host Gordon on Wednesday.

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